[Savatri]

I'm going to start a new thread on tidbits about Frank Sinatra - the times that I saw him, what I observed, etc. I don't think we've had a special thread about seeing Frank, and what it was like.

I think it would be nice if those here who have seen Frank would comment on anything that happened or what they observed. To me, none of it would be considered trivia - even if it' were just a single line.

I want to do this because when I last posted on the thread ' The sexiest lines Frank ever sang,' I found myself writing just a little about a couple of times that I have seen him and I realized I was writing in the wrong thread. I know many here have seen Frank and have made comments in the past, tho I don't remember now.

If no one wants to join me, I'll just post here when I think of things I remember, even if no one wants to read this thread. I'll post it so Frank can know what I thought of him during those times.

I was just thinking of one time when I saw Frank in 1978. Actually, this time we were in a group of thousands, perhaps. But one thing really struck me about this time.

Frank was going to appear at the Capital Centre in suburban Washington, D.C., Upper Marlboro, MD I guess. My husband and I knew there was little chance of getting good seats, but we decided we had to be there. It was my husband's great idea to take our 7 yr old son with us, and I am so happy we did.

We got awful seats, of course, in the middle of an arena stage setting. The one and only thing that was special that night - other than just being there with Frank - happened when the lights dimmed. We couldn't see a thing. It was pitch dark and quiet.

Suddenly a spotlight came on the round stage and there stood Frank Sinatra. The thousands of us who were there didn't make one sound. It was so quiet. And when Frank appeared in the center of the stage, every single one of us in the audience just quietly arose, without applause, as if it were god.

A moment I'll never forget.

I've been closer to him of course and talked with him briefly and it would be more interesting than the one little comment I just made. Later, I'll post another.

I know many of you here have seen Frank and have much more to say than I do. I, for one, would love to hear about your meetings with Frank. If no one wants to comment, I'll just follow my own thread and catch up with it another time - how I received my handwritten letter from him and thus met him personally and have more to say.

That's it.

Savatri

I never had the honor and thrill of seeing FAS live, but I'll be monitoring this thread to read the thoughts of others. Thanks for starting it.

[jayeff]

Saw him at Caesar's in Vegas. It was his first public appearance after he retired (1974). Sat front and center (don't ask). At the table next to us off the stage were Dean Martin, Johnny Carson, Danny Thomas and many more of that generation of entertainers. Got to meet Frank that night. "Magic".

After that saw him at the URIS with Count Basie and Ella (also in the '70s). "WILD".

Caught the Main Event at MSG. "Exciting".

There was one other tour around that time at the Nassau Colliseum. "Extra Special" in that my parents were with me." He was the only entertainer that my father appreciated. My mom always adored him.

In the late seventies, early eighties, I caught him a few times at Carnegie Hall, Radio City, and Jupiter, Fla.

Really couldn't get myself to go after the mid eighties.

Had the opportunity to see him one more time on his 75th birthday at the Meadowlands. Wouldn't have missed that for anything. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house (including Frank's) at the end of the evening. "Love Fest".

Regards,
Jayeff

lucky, lucky, lucky

Joan & John

i love these snippets about meeting Frank, please post some more

[Bob W]

This is a great topic...I will gladly contribute some musings about my seeing him, etc. I will be gone for most of today but will be back...I'll mention one item here...The first time I saw Frank in person was in July, 1959..I was able to get a job at the 500 Club in Atlantic City via a friend of "Skinny's" (who happened to be a close friend of me & my family)...On opening night the crowds were humongous and they were lined all over Missouri Ave-just waiting for a glimpse of the true "King." There was a Huge sign on the corner of Missouri & Pacific with Frank's caricature and the words, "HE'S HERE." Frank entered the Club via the kitchen and the limo drove in to the kitchen area (large entrance)..Frank was in tux (just finished shooting "Never So Few") & looked marvelous with a great tan. He ordered (from his dressing room) bottles of scotch, vodka, & Jack Daniels. His opening show was electrifying and I was in the kitchen when he came out...Nervously (I was 19) I stuttered "Great show, Frank" and he touched my shoulder and said, "Thanks, son." I got the job just to see him and the 10 days were fantastic...Later...

Bob:
What a great experience. You described it so well that I was able to picture it in my mind. Outstanding and thanks.

[Wolfy]

I can't thank all of you enough...
I look forward to reading about your brushes with Frank ......
I was exposed at an early age via records and TV shows.
I consider myself lucky in that my parents and grandparents are long time fans.

Thanks again all of you for sharing your memories.

I was so impressed when I saw Sinatra in early 1993, by the dozen's of fans that presented him with gifts [flowers and booze]at the foot of the stage. Sinatra, received his gifts by greeting and shaking hands, the adulation of these fans was overwhelming.
After Sinatra's great performance mostly all of us just lingered in front of the theater awestruck at what we had just seen. Fans conversed, not leaving upwards to an hour after the show. I was never witness to anything like this before in my life.
Joe V.

[lorraine]

Thanks for starting this Joan, I never ever got the chance to see Mr Sinatra but because his music was in our home I always felt like I knew himthrough his songs.
Please keep this going its so very interesting. Makes this place all the more real.

[ARIES3032]

Pete & I took a 6 week trip cross country starting from Maryland the second week in October. When we pulled into Las Vegas , Pete told me "look at the Caesar Marque" . I couldn't believe my eyes. Frank was in town. What a fanstic evening. I thought I was fourteen again. This was about 1979, Pete had to tell me to be still and listen. I just kept saying "It is really him". I remember one person asked to hear Night and Day, and he said, no, don't like that song, but of course he sang it. Many ladies brought roses to the stage, but I was a little timid. I sat in that seat when after he left the stage, until I was told I had to leave. I was totally in a trance. I still have my program and T shirt from that night. It will always be one of the sweetest memories I have.

[Rhodalee]

The first time I saw Frank, I was about 4 or 5 years old -- my sister was the real bobbysoxer. He was at the Paramount, and my aunt took my sister, my brother, myself, and my two cousins. My sister the oldest and myself the youngest. The lines were so long, blocks long -- but my aunt had a lot of nerve -- she went to the front of the line and managed to talk them into letting us go in ahead of everyone else. She just bugged them about having five kids, I think they were afraid of her.

Well, we did get in and sat right down front -- I remember my sister going bonkers. That was my first encounter with Frank -- from that day on, I learned how great he was.

Rhodalee

[Susan]

My first close encounter with Mr Sinatra was in 1978 in Las Vegas. My new husband and I were there on vacation and he happened to be playing Caesar's Palace. When I tried to get tickets, they basically laughed at me so we ended up seeing Rich Little instead.

In 1991, Mr Sinatra came to Salt Lake City and this time I was able to get tickets. On about the 40th row of the Salt Palace Arena. I watched him through binoculars. I'm pretty sure it was him.

[Savatri]

I watched him through binoculars. I'm pretty sure it was him. >>

Susan, What a sweet post about Frank. You are funny and HONEST.

Joan

[firefly]

My first and unfortunately only concert was in Kansas City. I recieved the ticket from my older sister for my 21st birthday. Funny how she suddenly became my favorite realtive with that gift.

It was in the round. And for some reason, I don't remember exactly why now, but there where protestors outside. My sister wanted to know if I would cross the picket lines. I think I looked at her like she had two heads, "let 'em try and keep me out!"

[Bob W]

Another vignette from the 1st time I saw Frank in person at the 500 Club in Atl City (where I worked as a busboy in '59)...One night toward the end of Frank's first show, I had the job of going on stage (when he was finished) and putting in the brass poles (w/velvet ropes)...I was standing just off the stage area like "Jimmy the Dunce" and Sinatra came off the stage into the same area (waiting for an encore)...The audience was screamiong like crazy & going nuclear over his performance...Frank stood there, adjusted his tie, looked over at me with and said , in his libertine manner, and said, "They love me." Then he walked back onstage and wowed 'em some more...No one like him !

[Savatri]

Bob W -

That's exciting to hear. Thanks!

Joan

I'VE CHANGED THE NAME OF THIS THREAD TO INCLUDE CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OR COMMENTS YOU'VE HEARD OTHER PEOPLE MAKE.

I thought I changed the name: Susan or another moderator?
Help. Thanks.

[Lourdes]

The first and only time I saw Frank was when he came to Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, in 1980. I will never lost that chance to see him in person. So I bought two tickets for Maracanã Stadium for January, 26, 1980, for me and my ex-husband. Since the day began started to rain a lot. But we went there to see him. The concert will start at 21.00 hour and a few minutes before there would be a rumor that it could be canceled because of the rain.
But when he entered the stadium the rain stopped. And when he started to sing he said: "Look how God was good for us. The rain stopped". And 170,000 people that was there started to sing with him. I was out of me. Never thought someday I could see and hear him. And he sang many songs. At the end of the concert he said: "I want to tell one thing: Never in my profession as a singer I had a public like this. Never".
The public were 170,000 people there.

It was how I saw Frank in Rio.

This was the ticket for the show.

[Stranger56]

Changed for you, Joan.

[John E Paris]

1982..

[MAP 55]

...I saw Frank coming out of the back of Carnigie Hall on west 56th street...after one of his concerts...he was with Gregory Peck.....they both got into a 4 door Lincoln Towncar with the NY license plates...NY NY ...Frank turned my way and I saw his brillant blue eyes..and white teeth......I'll never forget those eyes!...I was 10 feet away from him.....WOW! .....I'll never forget it!